Rocking-chair-operated device.



C. H. TOWERS.

ROCKING CHAIR OPERATED DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-1,1914- Patented June 20, 1916.

2 SHEET$-SHEET l- C. H. TOWERS.

ROCKING CHAIR OPERATED DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-1,1914.

6 1 9 1 0 2 6 H H J 0 6 t H W a P 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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n-ns COLUMBIA PLANOCIRAPH 50., WASHINGTON, D. c.

CHARLES H. TOWERS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

ROCKING-CHAIR-OPERATED DEVICE.

Application filed September 1, 19 14..

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES H. Townns, a citizen of the United States,residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania,have invented a new and useful lloeking-Chair0perated Device, of whichthe following is a specification.

My invention consists of a device such as a fan which is adapted to beoperated by mechanism connected with a rocking chair as the prime motortherefor, said mechanism involving a clutch member which may be placedinto and out of contact with. a gear wheel, a clutch member which may beplaced into contact with said wheel as a stop or brake therefor, and aflexible shaft connected with said gear wheel, the same being adapted tobe deflected according to different positions of the chair or the fansupport, and serve to impart motion through intermediate parts to thefan.

It consists also of details as will be hereinafter described and pointedout in the claims.

The invention is satisfactorily illustrated in the accompanying drawing,but the important instrumentalities thereof may be varied, and so it isto be understood that the invention is not limited to the specificdetails shown and described.

Figure 1 represents a partial side elevation and partial verticalsection of a rocking-chair operated fan embodying my invention. Fig. 2represents a bottom plan view of the fan stand thereof on an enlargedscale. Fig. 3 represents a horizontal section of a portion on anenlarged scale on line a-a" Fig. 1. Fig. 4C is a section on the line y-yof Fig. 1 on an enlarged scale. Fig. 5 is a view at right angles to Fig.4:. Fig. 6 represents a partial side elevation and partial verticalsection of the clutch mechanisms and connected members on an enlargedscale. Fig. 7 represents a partial plan view and partial horizontalsection thereof on a line 2-2 Fig. 6. Fig. 8 represents a transversevertical section on line aa. Fig. 6. Fig. 9 represents a partialelevation and a partial section of a detached portion.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in thefigures.

Referring to the drawings :1 designates a casing which is connected withthe rocker 2 for a rocking chair toward either end thereof, as shown atthe bottom of Fig. 1.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 2 11, 15-116.

Serial No. 859,637.

the nut 9 which is adapted to bear against said bar 5. Interposedbetween the latter and the plate 8 is the spring 10, the object of whichis to press the plate 3 toward the side of the casing 1, while the stem4 is .adapted to draw said plate from said casing by which provision theplate 3 may have its angle adjusted to the side of the rocker as evidenton. reference to Fig. 8.

Secured to the outer vertical limb 11 of the frame 6 by the screws 12 isthe block 13 in which is fitted the screw stem 14 whose head 14* isadapted to engage the side of the rocker opposite to the plate 3, itbeing noticed that owing to the screw 12 the angle of the block may bechanged and so adjust its head 14* to the angle of said side of therocker, it being noticed also that when the plate 3 and the head 1 ofthe screw are applied to the rocker and said screw properly rotated, thecasing 1 may be firmly clamped to the rocker and so move there with inthe motions of the chair.

Within the casing at the center thereof and secured thereto by the screw15 is the post 15 on which is mounted the lever 16, the lower endwhereof is supported on the roller 16*, it being noticed that said leveris freely movable in a recess 17 in the peripheral wall of said casing.

Vithin the casing is the gear wheel 18 which is mounted on the post 15and has on its side the circular shoulder or annulus 19 formed with orsecured firmly thereto in any suitable manner.

On the side of the lever 16 is the bar 20, the lower end of which has abifurcation 21 which straddles the screw 22 thus forming a pivotalconnection'for said end of said bar with said lever. On the side of theupper end of said bar are the studs 23 which are disposed on theopposite periphery of the annulus 19 and are oblique to each other so asto form in connection with said bar a clutch which when the lever 16rises is adapted to tighten against said annulus so coiled nature,isprevented and reverslng.

vplaced.

as to impart rotary motion to the latter, and consequently to the gearwheel 18.

Connected with the lever 16 and bearing against the bar 20 is the spring24 which when the lever 16 descends is adapted to remove said studs 23from their clutching action on the annulus 19 without operating the gearwheel 18 or interfering with the descent of said lever.

Mounted on theside walls of the casing 1 is the pinion 25 which mesheswith the gear wheel 18 and is adapted to receive motion therefrom andimpart it to the flexible shaft 26, one end of which isconnected withthe shaft 27 of the pinion 25.

Within the casing 1 is the plate 28, the

lower endof which is bifurcated as at 29 so as to be fitted over theshaft 27 as a free bearing therefor. The upper end of said plate 28 hason its side the studs 30 which are arranged obliquely to each other andadapted to engage the opposite peripheries of the annulus 19 as afriction clutch or brake therefor, said studs on the ascent of the lever16 allowing said annulus to ride freely between the same, but onthedescent of said lever, said upper end of the plate is raised by theaction of the spring 31 which is connected with said plate and theadjacent part or shoulder 32 of the wall of the casing 1. hen the studs30 are pressed into contact with the annulus and caused to bite orclutch the same and so prevent the motion of the annulus andconsequently of the gear wheel18, the pinion 25 and the shaft 27 of thelatter,the flexible shaft 26 owing to its from unwinding 33 designatesthe fan stand of the device thejbase 34 therof being mounted on the feet35 so that said base is somewhat elevated above the floor on which thestand is Mounted on the underside of said base 34 is a system of gearing36, one member 37 of which a bevel pinion is connected with the end ofthe flexible shaft 26 opposite to thecasing 1, said end being passedunder thebase-34 so as to reach said member 37.

Another member of said gearing 38, a spur wheel is fitted on and securedto the lower end of the shaft 39, which is passed vertically throughsaid column and adapted to rotate therein. (Qonnected with the upperend" of said shaft 39 in the head or cap 40 of the stand. 39' isthebevel pinion 41, which meshes with the bevel pinion 42, the latter beingconnected with a horizontally arranged auxiliary driving shaft 43 whosebearings: are on the cap 40.

7 Connected with the side of the cap is the sleeve or tubular member 44,within which is mounted the supplemental driving. shaft 45 to whoseouter end is screwed, bolted or otherwise secured the rotary fan 46which is formed of suitable blades, and a hub carrying the same, saidhub being fitted on the shaft 44 and secured thereto by the screw 47 orother suitable means. The side of the cap 40 is formed with the fork 48to which is attached by means of the screws or bolts 49 coupled with theshaft 43 so as to receive its power from the latter. This coupling isaccomplished by means of the collar 48 and the finger 50 the formerbeing firmly fixed to the outer end of the shaft 43, the l'att'er beingformed with the eye 51 which is freely mounted on the axle 52, whichoccupies with said eye the recess 53 in the inner end of the shaft 45,within the collar 48* said axle being secured to the walls of saidrecess. The outer terminal of the finger 50 freely occupies the opening54 in the side wall of the collar 48 so that when the shaft 43 rotatesit imparts motion to the collar 48*, the finger 50, the shaft 52 andconsequently to the fan shaft 45 whereby the fan is rotated. 'When thescrews 49 are loosened, the angle of the sleeve 44 may be varied, butthe finger 50 remains in the opening 54, regardless of the angularposition of the shaft 45, and. thus the two shafts 45 and 43 arecoupled,- and the motion of the shaft 43 is communicated to the shaft 45under all circumstances.

Certain of the shafts of the device are provided with ball bearingswhereby they are adapted to run with all of the advantages of the same.

The operation is as follows :lVhen the chair is occupied and rocked andthe ends of the rockers thereof descend, as the casing 1 is set backfrom either of said ends, the same rises and carries with it the lever16 which is fulcrumed on the floor by the roller 16*. The clutch bar 20is raised with said lever and slightly turned by the same whereby thestuds 23 bite or clutch tightly the annulus 19 and cause a rotationthereof, this then being imparted to the spur wheel 18 and the pinion 25and consequently to the flexible shaft 26 and by the intermediategearing and members of the fan. The rotation of the annulus 19 beingpositively occasioned by the clutch studs 23, said annulus' slidesfreely between the clutch studs 30 overcoming the pressure of the spring31 against the plate 28 that carries said studs 30. As soon asthe lever16 has rendered its up-stroke and begins to descend with the ascent ofthe rocker, the spring 24 operates the bar 20 axially to a' slightextent in a direction to move the studs 23 from their holding action onthe annulus when said studs slip on the latter and. the plate 28 isimmediately moved axially by the action of its connected spring 31whereby the clutch studs 30 are tightened against and bite the annulusand act as a brake to prevent rotation of the annulus, the gear wheel 18and the pinion 25 preventing any possible uncoiling or reverse motion ofthe flexible shaft, although the latter has its eonvolutionssufiiciently coiled to continue the rotation of said shaft, while theend of the lever 16 descends with the casing, but the rocker againcauses the ascent of the casing and the lever 16 when the other membersrepeat the operations as have been explained.

It is evident that the flexible shaft permits the chair and the stand tobe moved and placed where desired on a floor within the length of saidshaft without effecting the operation of the latter and consequently ofthe fan.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. A rocking device, a lever, a casing, a gearing wheel in the latter, ashaft in said casing for said wheel, one end of said lever being mountedon said shaft, the other end thereof being adapted to be fulcrumed on afloor, said casing being connectible with said rocking device, asupplemental shaft on said casing, a pinion on the latter adapted to beoperated by saidgear wheel, a flexible shaft connected at one end withsaid supplemental shaft, a member to be rotated, a shaft carrying saidmember, a stand member, a driving shaft on said stand, operative gearbetween the driving shaft and said member carrying shaft, and operatinggear between said driving shaft and said flexible shaft, the end of thelatter opposite to said casing being connected with a shaft of the lastnamed operating gear.

2. In a rocking-chair-operated device such as a fan, a casingconnectible with the rocker of a chair, a lever mounted on said casingat the center thereof and adapted to be fulcrumed on a floor, a flexibleshaft, means actuated by movement of said lever imparting motion to saidshaft, and fanoperating mechanism operatively connected with saidflexible shaft.

3. In a rocking-chair-operated device, such as a fan, a casingconnectible with the rocker of a chair, a gear wheel in said casing, alever mounted on said casing adapted to be fulcrumed 011 a floor, aflexible shaft operatively-connected with said gear wheel, mechanismengaging said lever and gear wheel adapted to operate the latter, andfanactuating mechanism operatively connected with said flexible shaft.

4. In a rocking-chair-operated device.

such as a fan, a casing connectible with the rocker of a chair, a gearwheel in said easing, a lever mounted at one end on said casing andadapted to be fulcrumed at its free end upon a floor, a flexible shaft,and connections whereby said shaft is actuated by movement of saidlever, and a fan shaft and gearing intermediate of the latter, and saidflexible shaft adapted to operate the fan.

5. In a rocking-chair-operated device, such as a fan, a fan shaft, agear wheel, a pinion adapted to mesh with said gear wheel, apower-conveying shaft connected with the shaft of said pinion andoperatively connected with the fan shaft, brake mechanism andconnections to prevent reverse motion of said power-conveying shaft, acasing connectible with a rocker of a chair and a lever pivotallysupported at one end on said casing and adapted to be fulcrumed at itsother end on a floor.

6. In a roeking-chair-operated device, such as a fan, a fan shaft, agear wheel, a pinion adapted to mesh with said gear wheel, apower-conveying shaft connected with the shaft of said pinion andoperatively connected with the fan shaft, a casing connectible with arocker of a chair, a lever fulcrumed at one end on the floor and at theother end pivotally mounted on the casing, and means actuated by saidlever for aetuatmg said power-eonveying shaft.

7 In a rockenoperated device, such as a fan, a shaft carrying saiddevice, a lever adapted to the raised and lowered, a casing on whichsaid lever is mounted, a gear wheel in said casing, an annulus on theside of said wheel, operative connections between said wheel and shaft,a clutch bar movably mounted on the said lever, and studs on said baradapted to occupy positions on the opposite peripheries of the saidannulus and to tightly engage therewith, said studs being arrangedobliquely to each other.

8. In a rocker-operated device, such as a fan, a shaft carrying saiddevice, a lever adapted to be raised and lowered, a casing on which saidlever is mounted, a gear wheel in said casing, an annulus on the side ofsaid wheel, operative connections between said wheel and shaft, a clutchbar movably mounted on the said lever, studs on said bar adapted tooccupy positions on the opposite peripheries of said annulus and totightly engage therewith, said studs being arranged obliquely to eachother, and a resilient device connected with said bar and lever forthrowing of? said studs from said annulus.

9. In a rocker-operated device, such as a fan, a shaft carrying saiddevice, a casing, a gear wheel on said casing, an annulus on said wheel,means for rotating said annulus, a pinion meshing with said gear wheel,operative connections between said wheel and shaft and a movable platein said casing,

obliquely to eachothen Y (Y 1 0, In a rockenoperated device, sucheas afan, a shaft carrying sa d hdeviee a casing,

,a gear wheel onsaid casing, anannuluson said \yheel, means forrotatingsaid annulus, a pinion meshing .xyitl1 ;said, gear wheel,opclfa-tiye connections between said Wheel and shaft and a novableplatein saidicasing, studs on ,said bait adapted.,;to;,occupy positionsonthe opposite peripheries ofsaid plate and to he held, freetl1er,e;fro1n,in.0ne position of said, plate, said, studsbeingarrangedobliquely to eaeh other, a resilient deyice connected ith said plateandcasing for forcing said studs into tight engagement with said annulusand mechanism ,inter1nediategof said ,gear Wheel and said devicecarryingshaft. 1

11. In a rocker-operated device,,;such as a stand, .a;dr ivingshaftuthereime an auxiliary driving f shaft, gearing I connectedith,said shafts, ,a, supplemental; driVing shaft, a coupling for saidsupplemental. and auxiliary shafts embodying a finger and con- Li. 1'ill. alri Fif l-il' HALF) =3; ,1 i: Oiipies of this patent may heobtained for fie ee nits by addressing th t ,1 J f t? -1 i nectionsiadapted .to insure rotati0n of said shaft, nndthe device, such as afanconnectediwith said; supplemental shaft, said eoupling .ad-justablyconnecting the bearings of the, supplemental and auxiliary ;-shafts andbeing adapted-to place: said: supplemental shaft and thefan thereon atdifferentangles. v12.;Inarockersoperatedi:deviee, a stand, .pluralityaofsliaftslondsaid stand, means fon operating one, of said shafts, acoupling forsaidishaftsaa devicesueh as. a fan" connected with ,theothershaft, said coupling being .composeddofea collar. onone ofsaid shafts,the peripheral Wall of saidv collarhaving an=opening1 therein, theadjacent 'endnof the other shaft being adapted to enter. said collars a?finger -movably mounted on said endiof the othershaftvand heingadaptedeto freely occupy; said-"opening insaid-collar, andmeans foradjustablyvconnecting the bearing ofsaid supplemental and auxiliaryshafts adapting the bearing of thefsupplemental shaftand-eonsequentlythe fan to be set at different angles i CHARLES H. TOVERS. \Vitnesses: J01ml A; VIEDERSIIEIM,

N. BUssINeEn.

8 Commissioner of Paton,

Wazhington, D. 0."

